IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 December 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150006198 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his social security number (SSN) as "542-XX-XXXX" instead of "512-XX-XXXX." 2. The applicant states his SSN is incorrectly shown on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides Letter Orders Number D1-29, issued by Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of the Adjutant General, on 3 January 1973 and a letter from the Social Security Administration. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 May 1972. He completed numerous documents in connection with his enlistment. * his SSN is hand-written on his DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) as "542-XX-XXXX" * his SSN is entered on his DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States) as "512-XX-XXXX" He authenticated both of these documents with his signature in the appropriate places, attesting to the accuracy of the data therein. 3. He was honorably retired from the Army on 10 January 1973, by reason of permanent disability. His DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "512-XX-XXXX." 4. His military personnel records jacket (MPRJ) contains documents that identify him by both the requested and contested SSN; however, the requested SSN does appear on numerous documents. 5. He provides Letter Orders Number D1-29, issued by Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of the Adjutant General, on 3 January 1973. His SSN is shown on this document as "512-XX-XXXX." He further provides a letter from the Social Security Administration; however, his SSN is not shown on this document. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. It states the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It is important that information entered on the form be complete and accurate, reflective of the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show his SSN as "542-XX-XXXX" instead of "512-XX-XXXX." 2. The evidence of record shows he completed numerous documents at the time of his enlistment; on some his SSN is shown as the requested SSN, "542-XX-XXXX" and on others his SSN is shown as the contested SSN, "512-XX-XXXX." His MPRJ contains documents that identify him by both the requested and contested SSNs; however, the requested SSN does appear in his official record. 3. The evidence shows he served under the SSN he claims is correct. However, he has failed to submit evidence that shows the requested SSN is, in fact, his correct SSN. The evidence he provides does not establish the requested SSN as his correct SSN. 4. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. In this regard, the data and information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. While it is understandable that he now desires to record a different SSN in his military record and on his DD Form 214, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date. 5. Therefore, lacking convincing independent and verifiable evidence that shows the requested SSN is his correct SSN, there is insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief at this time. If he can provide a document confirming his correct SSN, he may submit a request for reconsideration. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ___x____ ____x___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _______ _ x_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100015378 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150006198 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1